Merino wool is a critical element of men’s athleisure. This fabric’s journey begins with the Merino sheep, a breed perfected in Spain since the 12th century for its exceptional wool.

What is Merino Wool? 

Merino wool comes from the Merino breed of sheep, which originated in Spain in the 12th century. These sheep were selectively bred over centuries to produce an exceptionally fine and soft wool fiber.

In the video below, Ben O’Meara from Huckberry explores the history and modern applications of merino wool in fashion and performance wear. He also offers some product recommendations.

Ben answers several questions and explains the qualities that make Merino wool a preferred choice for a wide range of clothing, emphasizing its softness, odor resistance, durability, and exceptional temperature regulation capabilities. 

These attributes render it ideal for both high-performance activities and everyday comfort. He underscores the ease of care for Merino wool garments, advocating for cold water washes, mild detergents, and flat drying to preserve their integrity and extend wearability.

The Science Behind the Softness

The softness of Merino wool is due to its fibers, which are significantly thinner than traditional wool. These fibers measure 12-24 microns in diameter, a dimension critical to the material’s tactile properties. To put this into perspective, the diameter of human hair ranges from about 70 to 100 microns, making Merino wool fibers much finer and softer in comparison.

This satisfactory caliber of Merino wool sets it apart from other wool varieties. With its coarser fibers, traditional wool can often feel itchy and uncomfortable when worn directly against the skin. 

The larger diameter of these fibers can create a prickling sensation, leading to discomfort. In contrast, the ultra-fine fibers of Merino wool bend more quickly when they come into contact with the skin, significantly reducing, if not eliminating, the itchiness typically associated with wool garments.

The softness of Merino wool enhances its wearability and expands its applicability. It becomes suitable for many clothing items, particularly those intended for direct skin contact, such as base layers, underwear, and socks. 

This softness, combined with Merino wool’s inherent moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties, makes it an ideal fabric for garments that provide comfort and performance in various conditions.

Manufacturing Process of Merino Wool

The journey of Merino wool from the backs of sheep to the fabric of your favorite athleisure wear is a complex process, fine-tuned over centuries to perfect the soft, durable, and versatile material we know today.

It all starts in the spring with the annual shearing of Merino sheep, a practice that carefully removes the fleece using either machine or blade shears. Once collected, the wool undergoes a critical phase of classing and sorting, where it’s categorized by various characteristics such as fiber diameter, length, and color to ensure only the finest qualities proceed to the following stagesThe raw wool, still laden with natural oils and dirt, is then scoured in hot water and detergents to remove impurities. This step is essential for purifying the wool before transforming it into yarn. Following scouring, the clean wool is carded, which detangles the fibers and aligns them into slivers, preparing the wool for combing or spinning. 

Our Top Picks: Unbound Merino

Combing, an optional yet significant step for creating worsted yarns, further refines the wool by aligning the fibers and removing shorter strands, ensuring a smooth, uniform yarn.

Drawing and roving come next, where the prepared fibers are drawn out and twisted into a roving, strengthening the fibers and readying them for spinning. Spinning is where the magic happens, turning the roving into yarn through techniques such as ring spinning, worsted, or woolen spinning, depending on the desired characteristics of the final product.

Optionally, the yarn can be dyed to achieve a wide range of colors using wool-friendly dyes that penetrate deeply without damaging the fiber. When the yarn is ready, it is either woven or knitted into fabric, the base material for many textile products, from clothing to home décor. 

The final step in the production process is finishing, which can include various treatments like fulling, napping, shearing, or decorating to refine the fabric’s texture and appearance.

The Properties of Merino Wool

Merino wool, renowned for its exceptional qualities, stands out in the textile world for its comfort, performance, and sustainability combination. At the heart of its appeal is the ultra-fine nature of Merino fibers, which impart a softness unparalleled among wool varieties. This softness ensures that Merino wool can be comfortably worn against the skin. It is ideal for base layers and underwear without the itchiness often associated with coarser wools.

Beyond its tactile appeal, Merino wool excels in thermal regulation. It acts as a natural insulator, trapping air in tiny pockets within the fibers, thereby retaining warmth efficiently. Yet, it doesn’t sacrifice breathability. The structure of Merino wool allows water vapor to pass through easily, ensuring that wearers stay warm without the risk of overheating or experiencing condensation buildup.

Moisture management is another critical feature of Merino wool. Its fibers can absorb moisture vapor up to 30% of their weight without feeling damp. This moisture-wicking capability is essential for keeping the skin dry and comfortable, especially during physical activity or humid conditions.

Merino wool’s benefits extend to odor resistance thanks to its natural antibacterial properties. These properties prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria, allowing garments made from Merino wool to be worn multiple times between washes. This feature enhances the practicality and appeal of Merino wool for active and everyday wear.

Best Athleisure Brands

We’ve curated the top men’s athleisure brands all in one place. We’ve built a brand directory with brands like BYLT Basics, Cuts Clothing, Vuori, and Ministry of Supply. We feature brands like Black Ember, Ekster, and Alpaka, each making some of the dopest backpacks, totes, and sling bags.

Durability is another hallmark of Merino wool. Despite the fineness of its fibers, Merino wool is firm and elastic, offering excellent durability and maintaining garment shape over time. Additionally, it is machine washable, providing care instructions are followed, making it a convenient option for many uses.

Merino wool’s array of benefits doesn’t stop there. It is naturally flame retardant, providing an added layer of safety. It also offers UV and static resistance, enhancing its utility in various environments. Moreover, as a biodegradable fiber, Merino wool aligns with environmental sustainability efforts, breaking down naturally at the end of its life cycle and reducing waste.

Use Cases for Merino Wool in Men’s Clothing

Merino wool’s unique properties make it an ideal material for a wide range of men’s clothing, especially in categories that demand performance, comfort, and durability. Below, we explore how Merino wool transforms activewear, outdoor and travel wear, and other essential men’s apparel.

Activewear and Athletic Clothing

Merino wool’s performance advantages have made it a popular choice for men’s activewear, including summer tees, shorts, base layers, and athletic socks. Here’s why:

• Moisture-wicking: Merino wool’s ability to absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture vapor without feeling damp keeps the wearer dry and comfortable during intense workouts.
• Breathability: The fibers’ porous nature ensures excellent breathability, reducing sweat buildup and the risk of overheating.
• Odor resistance: Its natural antibacterial properties inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria, allowing for extended wear without frequent washing.
• Temperature regulation: Merino wool uniquely adapts to body temperature, providing insulation or cooling as required by the wearer’s activity level.

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Outdoor and Travel Clothing

For outdoor adventures and travel, Merino wool’s functionality shines:

• Layering: As base layers or mid-layers, Merino wool offers warmth without the risk of overheating and can remain fresh for days on end, thanks to its odor-resistant qualities.
• Versatility: Merino wool shirts, T-shirts, and underwear are ideal for hiking, camping, and outdoor activities. They ensure dryness and comfort through superior moisture management.
• Travel-friendly: The fabric’s wrinkle resistance, quick-drying properties, and low maintenance (requiring less frequent washes) make it perfect for travelers aiming to pack light.

Brands like Unbound Merino have recognized these inherent benefits of merino wool and tailored their offerings to meet the needs of the discerning traveler and athlete alike.

They use these properties to create a line of clothing that suits the active lifestyle and appeals to those with an eye for quality and a commitment to sustainable living.

Unbound Merino T-Shirts

Unbound Merino’s range includes versatile pieces that can transition from workout sessions to casual outings. This adaptability, stemming from Merino wool’s dynamic response to changes in body temperature, makes it an excellent choice for layers during travel or any activity that spans a range of environments and intensities.

Unbound Merino’s focus on creating durable, long-lasting garments speaks to larger trends in athleisure preferences toward sustainability. It aligns with its philosophy of investing in fewer but better-made pieces that stand the test of time and travel well. By choosing high-quality, natural fibers like merino wool, the brand encourages a more mindful approach to consumption and reduces waste.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Brito

Michael Brito is the editor-in-chief for Athleisure Wear for Men (AW). He launched this site in 2024 as a hobby. He’s a TEDx speaker and leads global analytics for Zeno Group, an integrated communication agency. Connect with him on social media.